Safety device for passenger-carrying conveyances propelled by electricity.



W. B. HOPKINS.

SAFETY DEVICE EOE. PASSENGER CARRYING GONVEYANGES PROPELLED BY ELECTRICITY.

I APPLICATION FILED 0014, 1909.

1,025,091 Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

2 SHEETS'SHEET 1'.

' WIT ESSES: 1N VENTOR.

- W WW [7 7 ATTORNEY.

. W. B. HOPKINS. SAFETY DEVIGE FOR PASSENGER GARRYING convnn'nqns PROPELLED BY ELEGTRIGITY.

APPLICATION TILED 0017.4, 1909. I 1,025,091 Patented 'Apr; 30, 1912 2 SHEETS-SHEET Z- IIIIIIflI/IIIIIIII/l INVENTOR. Mmflvm %V 77 I ATTORN Y IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII & a m m M UNITED STATES PATENroFFIoE.

WELLINGTON B. HOPKINS, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE SCHOOLFIELD SAFETY APPLIANCE COMPANY, A CORPORA- TION OF ARIZONA.-

SAFETY DEVICE FOR PASSENGER-CARRYING CONVEYANCES PROPELLED B ELECTRICITY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

Application filed October 4, 1909. Serial No. 520,995.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, \VELLiNG'roN B. Horxixs. a citizen of Canada, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, (whose post office address is Hotel Lafayette, in said city, county, and State,)

are entering or alighting therefrom, the said device being of the class which wholly diverts the electric current employed to propel the conveyance. and makes itimpossible for the person operatingthe said conveyance to turn such operating current into the motor of the conveyance. the principle involved be ing that of the diversion of 'the operating current from the motor into another circuit, or in other words to put the current propelling the conveyance temporarily out of the control of the person operating the conveyance. which objects are attained by diverting the current into another circuit.

The principa'l objects of. my invention are :--to provide a means for preventing the sudden starting of a passenger carrying-conveyance while passengers are entering or re tiring and are yet on the steps thereof, a situation shown to be productive of many accidents to passengers;v to provide a means whereby the conductor, or person in charge 01 the conveyance, can prevent the motorneer, or person operating the conveyance from starting it. it such starting would involve any danger of which the person who is operating the conveyance, from his forward position. is unaware; and generally, to obviate all negligence in the starting of such described conveyances.

Of the several views shown in the drawings, Figure 1 shows an electrically propelled car and indicates generally, the different parts involved in my device, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of one of the two magnet boxes employed in the operation of my device. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the other magnet box required. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the parts shown in the magnet box in the sectional view in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a similar perspective of the parts in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a controller box of an ordinary electrically propelled conveyance, showing certain of the parts of my device, and their relation to the parts in ordinary use incontrolling the current propelling such conveyance. Fig. 7 is. a detail in .perspective of the circuit maker of my device. Fig. 8 is across-sectional view of aset of car steps as modified to become a part in the operation of my device. Fig. 9 is a general viewof the course of the current propelling the conveyance when the said conveyance is in motion, and when my device is not in operation. Fig. 10 shows the course of the current when my device is in full operation, and shows how it is impossible for the person operating the conveyance to again start the motor, and so start the conveyance, until my devicehas ceased to operate.

Like characters indicate the same or similar parts in all the views shown,

The current operating the conveyance and thecourse it takes when the conveyance is in v motion is everywhere indicated by the letter 7. while the auxiliary or secondary course which the current is induced to follow by the operation of my device is variously indicated by the characters 11. 21-. n. 11".

'1. represents the ordinary trolley-pole of an electrically propelled conveyance. and W. the overhead wire supplying the current.

71. represents the motor of such conveyance, '1'. its wheels, and j, 7" the points where the currents l. or 71. pass into the axle and thence to the ground.

In the different views shown, A. represents one magnet-box of my device. and B. the other.

G. representsthe step or steps of the con.- veyance, and D. the meansby which they are adptsted to move in such 'a'n'rapner as to become a part in my device, such nie'ans bea ing here displayed in the-form of two upright posts fixed solidly in the general body of the car and at each end of'the'set of.

placed in magnet-box A. and in connection K. respectively are of iron.

with the circuit which the electric current follows when it is propelling the conveyance. E. and E represent another pair of metal contacts placed in'the magnet-box B. and in connection with the circuit which the current. takes when the conveyance is not'in motion and when my device is in operation. F. and F. and J. and J. are two pairs of electro-magnets, arranged respectively in the same two magnet-boxes, and in connection with the course which the current takes when my device is in operation, that is, when the conveyance is not in motion and cannot be put in motion. V

G. H. and K. L. represent the parts cntering'into the composition of two bars designed to be arranged in the magnet-boxes A, and B. and in relation to the electro magnets therein contained as indicated. Of these bars, the parts H. and L. respectively, are preferably of wood, while G. and In operative connection with these bars as indicated, are Springs 1. and I. and M. and M. respectively, which are attached one end to the wooden portion of the bars aforesaid and the other to some proper and convenient part of the box itself. The otlice of these several springs is to hold the said bars to which they-are attached in position, respectively, one against the metal contacts in magnet-box A. as indicated in Fig. 9, and

the other away from the metal contacts E.

and E. in magnet-box B. as indicated in Fig. They should of course, be of site strength that, while they will hold the said bars in the positions indicated whom no other force is acting yet they will not prevent the bars being drawn away from the positions hidicatcd in the figures desig nated by the action of the electronnigncts, whenever the same are rendered active.

0. represents a projection of the ordinary controller lever N. of an electrically pro polled conveyance. in direction diametrically opposed to the general direction of the lever itself from the sha ft to which the lever is attached.

P. represents the ordinary controller box as regularly installed in conveyances of the class mentioned. Q. represents a small box or casing conveniently placed and v inside the said controller box, sons" to per;

mitcertain special parts which. are placed tl'rerein to come into operative adjustment. with the projection O. of the controller 1e turned in the direction which it ordinarily takes in assun'ung the off position, the

position when-the current-is turned off from the motor. This part U. is preferably of the form shown in Figs. (3 and 7, and is preferably of steel, modified at the end toward U. into a flat spring, at which point attachment is made of it .to the base of the box Q. This construction permits the part to be forced down by pressure, and causes it to resume its former position when pressure is removed. The pressure ordinarily is applied in the operation of the device by the projection a). engaging the curve of U. at a point below its greatest height, and as the lever is turned further, 0. moves up the curve, and U. is depressed described. To the lower part of the forward end of U. is aflixed the wooden block t. to the lower surface of which is attached the metal contact piece 1:.

o. and o. are two metal contacts fixed upon the upper surface of a wooden base attached to the bottom of the box Q, as in dicated, under which said base is preferably placed a flat bent spring Z. to insure the proper position of o. o., and to permit of some little flexibility of adjustment. The contacts 2/. and '1). should. be slightly separated from each other as indicated. 7

R. indicates another small box, also preferably placed in the interior of the controller box l7. This box contains two metal contacts 9 and 1 y being fastened at the end of a flat spring as indicated.

represents a pin-plunger whose lower end is normally in. adjustment on the flat spring mentioned. On the lower part of the spring piece may be attached a pin 5/. which if depressed will be brought down upon an ordinary push button operating a bell attachment, and causing the bell to ring. The parts in this last described box constitute a means which in emergency would permit the person in charge of the operation of the conveyance to break the circuit which the operating current" takes when my device is in use, and to divert it again into the motor of the conveyance, and so start it.

7). and 0. in. Fig. 8 are two metal contacts, one being attached at some convenient point to one of the steps of the conveyance, and theother to a anceitself.

C. C. represent the one or more steps for ingress or egress from the conveyance.

part of the frame of the convey- -These steps are modified and designed so as steps, between which the steps are arranged and adjustedfor the slight movement demanded. In normal position, then, the spring a. pulls up the steps, and draws con tact b. away from contact 0., but when the steps are moved downward, as by a person stepping upon one -or more of them, the contacts brand 0. are brought together, as indicated in Fig-10. Itis immaterial upon which of the steps pressure is applied they should be constructed in one rigid series, and movement of any one induces corresponding movement in all. e

'(Z. (I. represent heaters properly placed under the several steps. They may well be of the ordinary type used in heating the conveyance, and for that purpose placed under the seats. They may be supplied with'a current from the same source. They are designed tofacilitate the movement of the steps t-hatthey may play their part in the operation of my device, in that they keep the said steps free from accumulations of ice and snow. They would further be of value to the operating company inpreventing passengers from slipping from the steps in severe weather, as is now-frequently the case.

The operation of my device is indicated as follows. \Vhen the conveyance is in motion. and the controller in proper position therefor, the current propelling the conveyance passes from the trolley-pole and follows the course indicated in Fig. 9 to 'the controller box, to the motor and thence to the ground, completing the operating circuit. But when the conveyance is stopped andthe controller consequently moved to the off position to cut off the current, the part. U. is depressed by the action of O. as before described, and bar 11. is brought into contact avith the arts. 'v. and '0 com )letin a circuit at that point, and if at the same time, any passenger be upon the steps C. C. they are depressed and contacts 7). and 0. brought together as described, completing a circuit at that point. Thus then, a secondary circuit, as indicated in Fig. 10, is immediately established, from the point where the wire a.

is attached to wire Z. as shown in Fig. 2, around the elcctro-magnets F. and F. passing between them through wire 12.. thence around electro-magnet J. thence to contact piece E. passing between them through wire n. thence to contact o. passing through wire a. to contact bar into contact *0. to contact E. passing through wire a. to electro-magnet J. passmg between them through. wire a thence to contact 5. on

steps, to c'ontactwr. thence to the axle-at j.

And so soon and thence to the ground. as this clrcuitus thus established, the electro-magnets F. and F. become active and draw down the bar G. H., .thus making a break in the main circuit at this point, the main circuit being the circuit operating the conveyance. Also, the electro-magnets J. and J. become active and draw up the bar K. L. in box B. as shown in Fig. 10, and

a circuit is established directly between the contacts E. and E. without reference to the parts c. and Y. and v.- so that though the controller lever be turned back to the on position in an endeavor to start the conveyance, and the part U. being therebyv released, fly upward and separate the I points of contact before made by it described, yet as the circuit has now been di' rectly established, as just explained, between in other words primarily, aslong as any passengers are getting on or off, or as long the person in charge of the conveyance 1s maintaining a pressure on the steps, as he might do by stepping on them himself in.

case" of a danger of which the person operating the conveyance was unaware. But if the pressure be removed from the steps C. C. then the spring a. draws them up to normal position again, and the secondary circuitis immediately broken at that point, by the separation of the contacts I). and 0. Immediately, then, the electro-magnets F. and. F. and J. and J. cease to be active, andcease to attract the bars G. H. andiK. L.- Bar G. H. is then drawn up again bythe -springs fl. and I. into contact with E. and E. and

the operative circuit is restored at that point as before. Also bar K. L. is drawn down by the springs M. and M. W'hereupon, if the controller-lever be in the on position, the conveyance may be operated as before.

Inasmuch as it might be deemed of importance in times of emergency to have a means of breaking the secondarycireuit and restoring the current to the control of the pressure is still present-u the steps of r i I l the conveyance, the device ShQWDiTHl bOX R.

and above described maybe manner-zinordlnary conditions the .contacts 'y, and 3 would always be in engagement, and the .mcurrent or secondary current upon which they are in connection would consequently pass through them unobstructed in the general working of my device above fully described. But if the pin-plunger 00. be. depressed then the contacts y. and y are forced apart by the downward movement of the plunger and the consequent yielding of the steel spring support upon which 3 is mounted, and the secondary circuit is thereby broken at'that point with all the attendant results as explained in connection with its breaking by removal of pressure from the steps. It is entirely optional with the parties operating the conveyances whether or not this emergency device'be installed, and if it is installed and is ever used the ringing of thebell which forms a part of the emergency device as above described, will at once notify all present that this extraordinary way has been employed to start the car.

The particular form of the different parts as herein shown and described is not to be deemed material,-and I do not limit myself to them. Neither is the specific location in the conveyance itself of the different parts involved 01 any consequence. All that is essential to the ()pcrationof the device as described is that the relative position of the several parts to each other in the circuit be preserved.

Changes within the scope of the invent-ion may be made without altering the principle involved.

My claims are t- 1'. in a safety device, a car, a movable slop, a circuit-closer operated by said step, car propelling means, a control circuit including said circuit-closer 't'or rcmlcring said our propelling means incil'cctivc, and means for interrupting said control circuit when the car is moving, substantially as described.

2. In a safety device, a car, a movable step, car prooelling means. a control circuit for said car propelling moans, means in said control circuit opcralcd by said step for rcndcring said car propelling means inopcrathc, and means For rendering said control circuit ircll'cclivc when the car is in motion, substantially as described.

3. In a safety device, a car, a movable member on said car, a motor. a motor circuit, a control circuit for said motor circuit, and moans in said control circuit operated by said movable mclnbcr lor shunting the current lrom said motor circuit into said control circuit. I

4. In a safety devlce, a car, a movable 'ste a motor circuit, a secondary circuit,

an means to divert current from said motirli' circuit into said secondary circuit and retain: 1t.there when pressure 1s. present upon said trol circuit independent 'ofthe motor. circuit, and means to divert current from the motor circuit into said control circuit and retain it there when said movable member is forced from its normal position, substantially as described.

6. In a safety device, a car, a motor, a. motor circuit, a movable member on said car, a circuit-closer operated by said movable member, a control circuit and including said circuit-closer, an electro-magnetic circuitbreaker for the motor circuit having its windings in said control circuit, means for shunting the current from said motor circuit into said control circuit, and means, for preventing the operation of said current shunting means when the car is in motion, substantially as described.

7. In a safety device, a car, a movable member on said car, a motor circuit, a control circuit, means in said control circuit for opening and closing said motor circuit, and. means for diverting current from the motor circuit into said control circuit when said movable member is forced from its normal position, substantially as described.

8. In a safety device, a car, a motor, a motor circuit, a movable member associated with said car and fitted with a circuitcloser, a control circuit including certain electro-magncts and means for opening the motor circuit, means for closing said control circuit when the current is shut off from the motor and said circuit-closer is closed, the whole comprising means for diverting the current from the motor into said control circuit, substantially as described.

9. in a safety device, a car, a motor, a motor circuit, a movable member on said car, a circuit-closer operated by said movable mcmbor, a secondary circuit including said circhit-closcr, a (,lltlllt-bl'CilliQl for the motor circuit having its windings in said secondary circuit, a controller for the motor, an inlcrlock operated by said controller to close said secondary circuit and open said motor circuit when said movable member is forced from its normal position and said circuit-closer is closed, substantially as describcd.

1.0. In a safety device, a car, a motor, a motor circuit, a movable member on said car, means for holding said movable member in a normal position, a circuit-closer operated by said movable member, a secondary circuit including said circuitcloser, means for energizing said secondary circuit to m- "tei'rupt said motor (air-Quit vhen the car is at signed my name in-"i'h'e presenc f t itrest and said nvoyable member is :forced from nesses, atDenver, in the State of Colorado, 10 its normal position, and, means for preY n h1s.2"th day of September, 1909.

ing interference with said motor circuit by VELLINGTON B- HOPKINS said movable member regardless of its position when the car is moving, substantially \Vitnesses:

I as described. MASON L. DEoKER,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto WM. P. KAVANAG 

